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Off-campus police record policy unfair |
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Thursday, 21 February 2008 |
Beginning this semester, the Office of Student Conduct has been working closely with the office of off-campus community relations and local law enforcement.
Since we returned from winter break, Appalachian has created a large effort to connect community jurisdiction violations with the university policies.
This means that no matter how good your grade point average is, or how responsible you are within the university, you could be penalized by Appalachian for making a mistake off-campus in Boone.
If students respect and follow Appalachian’s policies, why should it matter what they do in their time spent off-campus?
For example, if a student receives an alcohol violation from the Boone
Police Department, not only will they have to undergo the community’s
process of attending a court date, paying a fine and participating in
community service hours, but they could also potentially be punished by
the university for an incident that in no way connects to their student
enrollment.
The Office of Off-Campus Community Relations will be sent a court
report each day by the Watauga County Court informing them of any
student charged with an offense. Then, the appropriate measures will be
acted upon by university officials.
Students who obey school rules and meet expected standards should not
have to worry about jeopardizing their education by what goes on
outside of Appalachian.
In an article published in the Jan. 17, 2008, edition of The Appalachian,
Vice Chancellor for Student Development Cindy A. Wallace described the
new “culture of concern” policy as not a punishment for students, but
rather a way to help those in need.
I understand that alcohol abuse is common among college students, but
if this problem is in no way relating to one’s responsibility as a
student, why should the university enforce added fees, programs or
probations to a student who must already face the punishments of what
is issued by the Boone judicial system?
In the same article, Boone Police Chief Bill Post explained that
“students are often more afraid of university sanctions and getting in
trouble than getting into trouble with the town police.”
This is a reasonable statement because most students are here to
receive an education, so their affiliation with Appalachian is much
more important than their relationship with the Town of Boone.
Article 3.01 d. of the Student Code of Conduct states “a student will
be charged with a violation of this code and subject to sanctions when,
as a result of his or her off-campus behavior where the activities of a
student or group of students clearly conflict with the University’s
interests and mission.”
Why does it matter if someone presented with a drinking ticket in
Boone, five miles from campus, just happens to be a student at
Appalachian?
Although this infringement conflicts with university standards, it in no way affects or represents the college.
An incriminated student should not have to acknowledge their
affiliation with Appalachian or agree to accept university charges
along with those of the Town of Boone.
Although Appalachian obviously wants to keep the town safe, it is
unreasonable to enforce violations that cannot at all relate to the
university.
Kelsey Ohleger, a freshman journalism major from Manassas, Va., is an intern lifestyles reporter.
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